Minolta AF 50mm F1.4 RS A-mount lens reviews
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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ownership: | I own this lens |
compared to: | Minolta - AF 50 F1.4 Minolta - AF 50 F1.7 Minolta - AF 50 F1.7 RS Sony - AF DT 50 F1.8 SAM Minolta - AF 50 F2.8 Macro Minolta - AF 50 F3.5 Macro |
price paid: | 110 GBP |
positive: | Sharp, fast, colour |
negative: | Vignetting wide open, ghosting. |
comment: | Optically it is the same as the previous version. So I will concentrate on the differences that make this, in my opinion, the better purchase: 1. Focusing ring. Although referred to as an RS lens this is not, like most RS lenses a generation II (1990 style) remodeling like the f1.7, but a third generation (1998 style) revamp. Consequently it has a wider, nicely knurled focus ring that comes to ones hand more easily and provides better grip than the narrower smooth rubber of the 2nd gen lenses or the original narrow knurled plastic. 2. Hood. The 1985 original f1.4 and f1.7 had built-in hoods that slide out and, if you are lucky stay out - they do seem to have a tendency to slide back in at the slightest provocation. The f1.7 RS improved the situation by locking the hood out with a little twist. This f1.4 RS discards the built-in hood entirely and comes with a conventional bayonet mounting hood. There is something to be said for the neatness of the f1.7 RS solution, but I'm very happy with the detachable hood - just make sure the lens you are buying has one. 3. Filter mount. The f1.7s and the f1.4 take 49mm filters, this lens has the 55mm filter mount Minolta used for far more of their lenses. Since I got this lens I can leave the 49mm filters at home. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.7 | tested on:
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ownership: | I own this lens |
compared to: | Carl Zeiss 50mm f1.4 manual EF Canon mount on a metabones adaptor. |
price paid: | 268 Aus, used. |
positive: | Sharp but no razor even at f1.4 on an a7RII. More than adequate though in my opinion. At f2 it's up there with anything I've seen. Autofocus works fast on the LA-EA4 A to E Mount adaptor. Colours are sensational. Bokeh at f1.4 is spectacular |
negative: | None |
comment: | A great lens from a era when manufactures were dedicated to quality. My copy was made in 1998 and mint condition. I've recently swapped from Canon to Sony and retained my Canon and Zeiss lenses. It's hard to justify buying a new 50mm f1.4 when there's vintage quality like this. The colour rendition of the Minolta 50mm f1.4 lens is wonderful and something that pixel peepers should keep in mind, it's not all about sharpness. |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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ownership: | I used to own this lens |
compared to: | MIN50F17 MIN50F17RS MIN50F14 SAL-50F18DT MIN50M28 Macro MIN50M28RS Macro MIN50M35 Macro |
price paid: | £105.00 (used) |
positive: | Lightweight Ultra sharp image quality (IQ) Excellent construction Buttery smooth bokeh Ergonomic design Classic Minolta colour rendition Best in it's class |
negative: | Nothing I can think of (yet) |
comment: | Where do you start? It's a phenomenally good bit of kit and delivers superb quality results in spades. Like the MIN50F17RS, the body is built from high grade plastic and has a very nice ribbed rubber focus ring, though this lens had a lens hood. The nearest of all the 50mm prime lenses that produces similar results are both the MIN50F28 and MIN50F35 Macro lenses which make for a much better option to the standard metal/glass kit model. I've never used or owned this lens model before and I can now understand what all the hype is about unlike some other models I can think of. The colours, bokeh, sharpness and overall construction is first class and it's also very ergonomically designed. Coupled with it being lightweight, it's one of THE BEST lenses from the extensive Minolta back-catalogue and IMO, is best in it's class, though the SAL-50F14 is it's replacement model which I've not used so I cannot make any direct comparisons. This is definitely one lens I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a top 50mm prime, though either of the Minolta 50mm Macro lenses would also be a great choice. |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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ownership: | I own this lens |
compared to: | Minolta 50 f1.4 Minolts 50 f1.7 |
price paid: | 225 |
positive: | Sharp Colors Bokeh Small |
negative: | Rare |
comment: | Excellent compact sharp lens. Minolta colors and useful hood. This lens has less back focus than my 50 f1.4 gen one. |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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ownership: | I own this lens |
compared to: | Minolta 50 f1.7 Minolta 50 f2.8 macro Minolta 50 f3.5 macro |
price paid: | 129 GBP |
positive: | SHARP!!! Great colours Well built 55 diameter filters |
negative: | None |
comment: | Sharper than the 50 f1.7 at all comparable apertures. Almost as sharp as the macros. A steal for the price. Get one!! |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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ownership: | I own this lens |
compared to: | Minolta 35-105 Travenar 28-70 Pentacon 50 1.8 |
price paid: | 300 USD |
positive: | sharp easy to focus in manual mode aperture size |
negative: | missing |
comment: | It's a really good lens with perfect size and very comfortable focus ring. Very easy to focus in manual mode due to bright aperture and rubber focus ring. Perfectly fits my 9000. |
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sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.4 | tested on:
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ownership: | I used to own this lens |
compared to: | 50/1.7 (only tested on film) |
price paid: | 380 AUD (new) |
positive: | Light & Compact Sharp stopped down Nice colour Bokeh |
negative: | Contrast & CA wide open |
comment: | Sharpness never disappointed on film, even wide open. Extra demands of FFd mean I need stop it down to f2.8 to get a usable DOF for portrait work. This applies equally to my 35/1.4 as it does to this lens. Mostly better all round than than 50/1.7 on film, but not significantly so. AF speed similar. |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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ownership: | I own this lens |
compared to: | Minolta AF 50 1.7 Minolta AF 50 1.7RS |
price paid: | 300 |
positive: | Small & Light Weight Good Color Soft Picture Good Bokeh |
negative: | No D Chip |
comment: | Small Lens , Good Picture , Like to take it from home. |
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sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.6 | tested on:
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ownership: | I used to own this lens |
compared to: | 50/1.7 35/2 |
price paid: | 820 zł (used) |
positive: | *Small & light *Good colors *Sharp from f2.8 |
negative: | *Soft and low contrast between f1.4 and f2.5 *equiv 75mm on crop cameras |
comment: | Not very sharp wide open, 35/2 is much sharper at f2 than 50/1.4 at f2 and also 35/2 have better contrast. I've expected more from this standard lens. Only fraction better than 50/1.7. |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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ownership: | I own this lens |
compared to: | 3570/f4 |
price paid: | 250 |
positive: | Great Bokeh Great Sharpness Fast Focus Generally Big Aperture |
negative: | Has backfocus at far distances Flare? |
comment: | Haven't tested the flare but it seems ok... |
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sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.2 | tested on:
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ownership: | I used to own this lens |
compared to: | Sigma 50/1.4 HSM |
price paid: | about $300 |
positive: | Very good at f/5.6 and f/8 Light and small very bright |
negative: | Visible CA at large apertures very soft at f/1.4, soft at f/2 no SSM |
comment: | Great small lens, if You can't afford to buy Sigma 50/1.4 or prefer small and light lenses over bigger then get it. It's cheap with very good light and quite good optical performance, and exceptional at f/5 apertures. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 2 overall: 4.1 | tested on:
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ownership: | I own this lens |
compared to: | missing |
price paid: | +/-300€ at its time |
positive: | - Sharp at f2.8. Razor sharp at f/4! - Built like a tank! - beautiful bokeh. |
negative: | - FLARE! - No D chip... |
comment: | Bought with my first AF minolta camera body, a 800si, to replace with my good old x700 during the 90's. I'm very enthusiastic about this lens and I always use it as my main lens to work with my Alpha 700 and 850! The main problem, is the flare, sometimes a true sore with any light in the field! Be care with APS-C sensors. You don't see in the viewfinder what is in the dead space of this lens originally designed for the 24x36 frame... So, if you can find it, buy it, it's a good deal but don't be too creative with the sun or any spotlight! |
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sharpness: 5 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.2 | tested on:
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ownership: | I own this lens |
compared to: | Sigma 28-70mm 2,8 EX, 80-200 APO G HS, Nikon 24-70mm 2,8 AFS |
price paid: | missing |
positive: | Sharpness, AF quietness, bokeh, colour. |
negative: | A bit soft wide open, some problems with accuracy when near to the subject. |
comment: | Very useful lens, small, light, sharp once you stop it to 2,0 on words! AF is quick and quiet! You get a lot for the money! |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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ownership: | I own this lens |
compared to: | Minolta 50 1.7 Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* 3.5-4.5/16-80 ZA |
price paid: | 300 USD like new |
positive: | Sharp, sharp, sharp... Quick AF Love this range on APS-C |
negative: | I couldn't find... |
comment: | It's my first experience with f/1,4... and it's a fantastic lens. Significant difference with the old f/1,7. This lens is usable at f/1,4 without any doubt. Love it for portrait. Great great bokeh at f/2. If you could find one RS, buy it !!! |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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ownership: | I own this lens |
compared to: | SAL 50F14 Min.50 /1.4 (old version) Min. 50 /1.7 (old & new version) |
price paid: | 250 € (nearly new) |
positive: | very quick AF, very, very Sharp, Colours are great |
negative: | difficult to find, expensive |
comment: | Perfect shot on a full frame cam (A900 or analog). A great portrait- lense for APS- Cams. If you find one of this very rare pieces, just buy it ! |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.9 | tested on:
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ownership: | I own this lens |
compared to: | 50mm f/1.7 |
price paid: | missing |
positive: | very sharp amazing bokeh 55mm filter real hood |
negative: | nothing really |
comment: | my very first 50mm f/1.4 and it's a RS one, before this I had a few f/1.7 (1st gen) and didn't thought it would make any different between 1.7 and 1.4 but it is, so creamy bokeh I haven't experienced before I had the opportunity to test between 1.4 1st gen and RS, I found 1st gen is sharper but harsher bokeh not as pleasant as the RS version unfortunately my lens has a tiny dust inside, very annoying but luckily it doesn't capture on pictures |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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ownership: | I own this lens |
compared to: | 50/1.7 85/1.4 |
price paid: | 175 USD (used) |
positive: | Creamy Bokeh Sharp when in focus Compact Size |
negative: | Major back focus on my A700 and A100 |
comment: | I got this lense a while ago but never really cared for it since I had many mis-shots. Then I realized that it was being caused by major back focus on my A700 and A100. In auto-focus, I was getting close to 30cm back focus at 3~5 meters. Therefore the subject will be soft even when stepped down. Once I realized this I started using this lens in MF and can finally understand what all the fuss is about. Now the dillema is whether to keep this lens until I get a new camera with microadjustments or sell this and try my luck with a new Sony 50/1.4. *Note the sharpness is 4 due to back focus. When it's in focus the lens is very sharp. (5) UPDATE - I was wrong about this lens having backfocus issue. I realized that it's in fact the camera that's having a hard time finding the right focus in low light situations. And since I mainly use the 50/1.4 in these harsh lighting conditions, I had incorrectly associated the bad focus to the lens. I have corrected my sharpness rating to 5 accordingly. |
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sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.4 | tested on:
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ownership: | I used to own this lens |
compared to: | - Sony 50/1.4 - Sigma 50 F1.4 HSM - Minolta 24-105/3.5-4.5 - 24-70za - other primes |
price paid: | 300 USD (used) |
positive: | + light weight + sharpness wide open + Sharp very good from F2.8 |
negative: | - not very useful on APS-C (IMHO) - extends on focusing - not sharp from F1.4 to F2 - non SSM |
comment: | I buy this lens with my first camera (A100). With this lens start my love to Minolta primes. I used it for portret and in low light condition. Love this lens, change later to sony version, which will be new, and i think that SAL-50/1.4 be litle sharper than Minolta 50/1.4. For me more useful primes on APS-C cameras 35 and 85. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 3 overall: 4.1 | tested on:
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ownership: | I used to own this lens |
compared to: | Sony 18-70, 18-250 Minolta 70-210 F4.5/5.6 Prime lenses on various film cameras over the years- Konica, Cannon, Fuji, Leica |
price paid: | $299 CDN (new) |
positive: | Nice handling Fast Puts user in control of DOF Attractive portraits made easy Much sharper than kit zooms |
negative: | Flare and sensor reflections on Sony a200 |
comment: | Nice lens, but frustrating on my DSLR due to flare and sensor reflections, especially when used with filters. Side- and rear-lit photos were much improved compared to the kit lenses and my other zooms. Nice colour, quite sharp, resonable contrast, and nice OOF character. AF was much faster and more precise than slower zoom lenses. Manual focus was much easier with such a nice, bright viewfinder image. Until I tried this lens, I had been quite disappointed by the lack of sharpness from my shiny new a200. With the 50 F1.4, the camera suddenly woke up- stopped down to F2.0, my best shots with this lens aren't far off the best I ever took in my film days. However, the loss of IQ when shooting towards virtually any light source was a great disappointment. Flare and sensor reflections were evident in the viewfinder, as well as in my images. I'm surprised that more reviewers didn't pick up on this characteristic. My local store has two brand-new leftovers in stock, and both show the same characteristic, so I didn't just get a bad one. I still like it as a low-light lens, and probably would have kept it if my budget was more forgiving. In the end, I returned it for a full refund. I still like the form factor and speed, though, so I will definitely check out the Sony version to see if it's more deserving of a "D" rating. |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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ownership: | I own this lens |
compared to: | Minolta 28-75 @ F2.8 |
price paid: | US 90 (Ebay) |
positive: | Fast Focus, Built-in Hood |
negative: | Not that I can think of. |
comment: | I've used this lens for outdoor potraits, it's quite nice.. I like the shape of the bokeh as well.. Nothing much to complain.. The DOF for the lens (1990) that I got appears to be just fine. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.5 | tested on:
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ownership: | I used to own this lens |
compared to: | 35-70/4 |
price paid: | 200 Euro (used) |
positive: | Very fast |
negative: | A little soft full open. AF can be fooled |
comment: | This lens has been a challenge to me. I spend a whole evening checking for back focus and came to the conclusion that everythin was OK, but at F1.4 there is not much depth of field ;-). Sometimes I'm not sure where it decides to focus, so I go MF more often with this lens. The shallow depth of field can make you very creative on the other hand. I find it quite soft full open, but at F2 its pretty sharp, I think. All in all, I like it... Update : AF Works perfectly on A700...:-) |
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sharpness: 4 color: 4 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.6 | tested on:
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ownership: | I own this lens |
compared to: | 28-75/2.8 (D) 17-35/2.8-4 (D) 70-210/4 |
price paid: | 260 USD (mint) |
positive: | Focus speed Weight Filter Size Bokeh |
negative: | FOV on APSC camera Color |
comment: | I really like this lens, I just have a tough time finding a use for it on my 7D. Like a previous reviewer I find that it seems either too long or too short for the task at hand more often than not. It is light weight and the focus is quick and sure. In fact, this lens focuses faster than any other lens I own and performs great in the worst lighting conditions I try to work in. The fact that it is a 55mm filter size is a huge positive as it can share filters with all but two lenses in my collection. I also find it plenty sharp. I have read some reviewers complain that it goes a bit soft below f/2 but I have never found this to be so obvious as to be an issue as long as my focus is on the money. The 75mm equivalent FOV on my APSC 7D is odd which goes back to my opening statement. This really isn't the fault of the lens though. I tend to use it like a poor man's 85/1.4 and crop the photos down. I rather like the results for the price while still recognizing that it is not the same class with the 85/1.4 in terms of dreamy, creamy bokeh. What I am less pleased with is the color which seems a bit flat when compared to both my 28-75/2.8 and the 17-35/2.8-4. I expected better from a prime lens than I get from my zooms and while this color is not bad, it just does not seem as vivid in comparison. All in all, a good lens for the price tag. |
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sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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ownership: | I own this lens |
compared to: | Minolta 50 1.7 RS Minolta 58 1.2 MC Rokkor-X Minolta 35 2 RS Sigma 20 1.8 RS Minolta 70-200 4 @ 70 Sigma 18-125 @ 50 |
price paid: | Ł125 (mint) |
positive: | Dreamy bokkeh Surest AF out of all my lenses Smooth manual focus ring Not too expensive! Very sharp from f2 onwards Good sharpness from f1.4 Centre pinch lens cap 55mm filter thread, like just about all my other lenses |
negative: | Availability (lack of) No D flash encoding Soft corners on FF at f8 |
comment: | Bought as an upgrade to the 50 1.7RS, which I loved. Well worth the extra Ł50odd. Better AF, sharper than the 1.7 at 1.7, sharp enough to make f1.4 useful (although nothing compared to the 35/2 wide open), very, very sharp from f2 onwards. Very sure & fast AF, excellent build quality. Beautiful bokkeh, only slightly beaten by the excellent 58 Rokkor-X conversion. On the a900 the story is the same - acceptably sharp from f1.4, bitingly sharp stopped down except for the extreme corners, where my CZ 24-70 does better. Good combination - this weighs nothing like the CZ does. |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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ownership: | I own this lens |
compared to: | Minolta 100 f2.8 macro Sigma 28 f1.8 (older version) |
price paid: | forgotten |
positive: | Bright! Sharp Small Fairly light |
negative: | No D chip |
comment: | Excellent lens! The wide aperture makes the viewfinder really bright and while it is good at 1.4 the depth of field is often too shallow, so using it at f2 or narrower gives stunning clear images. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 3 overall: 4.5 | tested on:
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ownership: | I own this lens |
compared to: | - 28/2 - 85/1.4 - 50/1.7 |
price paid: | 206 EUR |
positive: | - sharpness (F2+) - bokeh - size/weight |
negative: | - flare |
comment: | missing |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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ownership: | I own this lens |
compared to: | 50mm/1.4 Original |
price paid: | 255 USD (used) |
positive: | IQ and sharpness as good if not better than the original version even wide open. Bigger focus ring, real hood. |
negative: | Frankly none I can think of. |
comment: | The "cheap" low light king (well the cheapest Minolta 1.4 at least). I find the AF of this RS version a touch more accurate than the original versions I have had but then again perhaps those 15-20 year old lenses are a bit fatigued... Finally no more 49mm filter lenses in my line-up, this lens together with a 24/2.8 RS makes all my lenses min 55mm. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.7 | tested on:
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ownership: | I own this lens |
compared to: | KM 28-75mm 2.8D, Tamron 90mm 2.5 Macro Ricoh 50mm 1.8 (M42) |
price paid: | 280 USD |
positive: | Beautiful portrait lens, with typical slight softness at full aperture, sharp as by 2-2.8. Very nice bohket. |
negative: | None |
comment: | Supplied with ditsy 55mm Screw-in Lens hood that neither felt nor worked well. An old, retired fungus-invaded Sigma 75-300mm donated its flock-coated, 55mm solid alloy hood that delivers absolutely superb flare control in marginal cross-light situations. Well worth seeking out! |
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sharpness: 4 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4 | tested on:
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ownership: | I used to own this lens |
compared to: | Canon 50/1.8 KM 28-75D Zeiss 24-70 Minolta 35/2 MInolta 28/2 |
price paid: | 240 USD (new) |
positive: | Light Fast AF performance |
negative: | Still getting used to APS-c coverage Has lost something on digital Original hood |
comment: | This is the lens I have mixed feelings about; 75mm on APS-C isn't something I'm used to and I often find this lens or too short or too long :( The lens was unusable on my 7D until I had it adjusted for backfocus problems. Once my 7D was calibrated the lens is performing very well. Full open the lens is a bit soft, but still pretty usable IMHO if the focus was spot on and taking into account shallow DOF. Sharpness is improving considerably when stopping down but; from my experiences the lens does not perform as one would expect for a premium 50mm prime; 100/2 for example does perform a much better even on digital as does the 35/2 or 28/2. May be just subjective opinion but Canon 50/1.8 does better job in terms of resolution on digital. Bokeh is good enough (not among the best I had the chance to see) and so are colors and contrast. AF is fast and accurate (if on calibrated body). The hood that came with the lens was short even for FF body. But as a low light tool, there isn't any better in this range. **Full frame** A whole new story; performance is very good and hard to be beaten by any zoom. Primes are a requirement when it comes to FF and this lens is not an exception. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.7 | tested on:
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ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
compared to: | missing |
price paid: | missing |
positive: | sharp at 2 and up, focuses well even in low light. |
negative: | a bit soft wide open... |
comment: | missing |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.9 | tested on:
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ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
compared to: | 50/1.7 RS 28-75/2.8(D) |
price paid: | 250€ (new) |
positive: | Very sharp from f2, excellent at f4 Nice colors Beautiful bokeh Contrast |
negative: | A bit expensive for a 50mm |
comment: | missing |
rating summary

- total reviews: 37
- sharpness: 4.64
- color: 4.84
- build: 4.70
- distortion: 4.89
- flare control: 4.30
- overall: 4.67
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